Reader's Eye 2013

LIFESTAR Paramedic Rick Harrington used a Canon PowerShot A530 to photograph First Tennessee Plaza. "I was doing a bike ride downtown in early November and the sky was really beautiful that day. Under the right circumstances that building can really be a great photo subject," he said in an email. (Rick Harrington/Special to the News Sentinel)

Sharon Monett played with texture and shape to create this Christmas still life. "I became fascinated by all the beautiful ornaments and soon became more interested in taking pictures of (them) than in decorating my tree. I never did get the tree decorated, but I sure enjoyed the ornaments!," said Monett in an email. The photograph was taken with a Nikon D7000 and Tokina 100mm macro lens. More of Monett's work can be found at Facebook.com/SharonMonettPhotography. (Sharon Monett/Special to the News Sentinel)

Brad Justice photographed the Klondike Katie steam locomotive last month at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.The shot was made with a Nikon D7000 and a Tokina 12-24mm lens. "The air temperature at 30 degrees and the fresh snow created a perfect moment for photographing a steam train," said Justice in an email. More of Justice's work can be found at www.facebook.com Bradjusticephotography. (Brad Justice/Special to the News Sentinel)

Knoxville attorney K.O. Herston photographed an otter family recently in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "I had been watching the Little River all day when I stumbled upon these three otters. I spent a few hours watching them swim, play, and catch trout. They were about to settle down for a nap when I captured this scene, " said Herston in an email. He used a Nikon D800 with a 400mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter. (K.O. Herston/Special to the News Sentinel)

Dustin George of Maryville photographed the old Island View School recently in Sevier County with a Canon T3i and a 18-135mm lens. "The schoolhouse is a site I have passed for years at differing seasons and at different times of day .... I thought, "One day, I'll get a shot of that," said George in a email. He waited for over an hour for the light to hit and the fog to lift. "The color in the picture only lasted for one minute at the most, then it was gone," said George. See more of his work at http://dcg.smugmug.com/. (Dustin George/Special to the News Sentinel)

Retired teacher Jean Card photographed this sunrise from Western Road earlier this month in Halls. Card said she was tipped off to the photo opportunity by her husband, Jim, who called home while on an early morning errand and told her "you need to come look at this - the sky's on fire." Wearing pajamas and socks, she made the picture with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25. (Jean Card /Special to the News Sentinel)

Susie Neel photographed a bugling elk in October 2010 at Cataloochee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Based in Charles Town, West Virginia, Neel is an avid photographer of wildlife in the Smoky Mountains with her husband, Chuck, as assistant. This shot was taken with a Canon 5D and a 600mm lens. See more of her work at www.neelsphotography.com. (Susie Neel/Special to the News Sentinel)

A praying mantis was photographed last month by Mary Ann Venable, wife of News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable, at her West Knox County home. "I noticed it outside on my bedroom window, and grabbed the camera. After I took the photo, I looked at it closely with my face just a few inches from it on the other side of the glass. It turned its head and looked back at me!," wrote venerable in an email. (Mary Ann Venable/Special to the News Sentinel)

Hope Wood photographed a fallen red maple leaf last year at Cataloochee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "It is my hope that glimpses of God are seen in (my) images, and people are blessed and encouraged by the beauty He has placed all around us, " writes Wood on her website, hopewoodphotography.com. The Gatlinburg resident used a Nikon D3100. (Hope Wood/Special to the News Sentinel)

Bob Luttrell photographed Canada geese catching some rays recently at Alice Bell Pool. "These geese are permanent members of the Alice Bell community but are not members of the aquatic pool club," wrote Luttrell, a retired News Sentinel adman. He used a Coolpix camera. (Bob Luttrell/Special to the News Sentinel)

Kathy Burke photographed this cemetery on a cloudy, foreboding day while driving back from Livingston, Tenn. "I like old cemeteries, especially old family cemeteries out in the country, and I'm always looking for times when I can stop and do a photo shoot in one" said Burke in an email. She made the picture with a Nikon D90 with a 18-105mm lens. (Kathy Burke/Special to the News Sentinel)

Dick Vance of Sevierville photographed this buck with a Nikon D90 and 80-400mm lens on July 25 in Cades Cove. His wildlife pictures have grace many publications over the years including a 24-photograph series of a two bucks fighting that appeared in Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. "I just enjoy experiencing the beauty and wildlife of the Smokies, especially Cades Cove, which to me is the most beautiful place in America. The photographs are just a bonus," Vance said in an email. (Dick Vance/Special to the News Sentinel)

Donald Raby photographed the old Highway 33 bridge over Norris Lake through a pier of a replacement span earlier this year with a Fujifilm S3200. The $18.3 million construction project resumed in April 2013 after a hiatus to incorporate design changes. The new bridge is scheduled for completion by Aug. 31, 2014, and total project completion, including the removal of the existing bridge, by Dec. 31, 2014, according to TDOT Spokesman Mark Nagi. (Donald Raby/Special to the News Sentinel)

"Hold on fellas, it's a call from the President" suggests photographer Monte Seymour as a title of this picture of Civil War reenactor Travis Devine of Sweetwater using modern technology during the East Tennessee History Center's History Day last month. Seymour used a Pentax K5. (Monte Seymour/Special to the News Sentinel)

Every summer Lee Smalley has enjoyed the field of sunflowers on Hardin Valley Road just west of Campbell Station Road. This year year he decided to stop and take a photo. "I used an Olympus E-M5 with an 18mm equivalent lens to capture the amazing sea of yellow in the early morning light," said Smalley. (Lee Smalley/Special to the News Sentinel)

Joe Rentz, a retired University of Tennessee professor of marketing, photographed a raccoon recently at his home in West Knoxville. "It's not unusual to see squirrels at my bird feeder but one morning I got up and was surprised to see a racoon. I grabbed my camera, adjusted a few settings, slipped out the door to the deck farthest from him, got a few shots of his back and tail, then we had a staring match. I gave in before the hissing began, but not before getting a shot, " wrote Rentz in an email. (Joe Rentz/Special to the News Sentinel)

Big Orange spirit is strong as a young Vol swings her pom-poms in the 2011 homecoming parade in a photograph taken by Karen Simsen, University of Tennessee Director of Media Relations. She is part of the Little Vol Walk in which alumni are encouraged to bring their kids. Homecoming this year is Nov. 8-9. (Karen Simsen/Special to the News Sentinel)

Melissa Loope photographed a special moment between her husband, Ben, and daughter, Bleu, as the 5-year-old learned to ride her first "big girl" bike a few years ago. The Friendsville resident used a Nikon D60 with a 300mm lens. "It was her first time without training wheels. That's why she looks so determined," said Loope. (Melissa Loope/Special to the News Sentinel)

Holly Higgins photographed a kudzu-munching black bear in Cades Cove with a 200mm lens and a Nikon D200. "I know I am truly blessed to be allowed such opportunities to capture and share images of the wonderful wildlife of Tennessee. As I ponder the wonder of God's marvelous creations ..... I can't help but look with thanks to the God who made them," said Higgins in an email. (Holly Higgins/Special to the News Sentinel)

Bill Dockery photographed a rainbow over TVA's Douglas Dam last month with a Nikon Coolpix S8100. The Sevier County native is an University of Tennessee communication specialist and a former News Sentinel editor. (Bill Dockery/Special to the News Sentinel)

Knoxville attorney K.O. Herston photographed this idyllic scene earlier this year in Cades Cove. "I noticed this horse wandering in a field nearby. I thought the reflection of the horse in the water would make a good photograph if only the horse would get in position. As the horse approached the water, I put down my lunch and grabbed the camera. As if on cue, the horse struck a pose," Herston said in an email. He used a Nikon D800 and a Nikkor f/2.8 24-70 lens at 55mm. (K.O. Herston/Special to the News Sentinel)

Harriman photographer Paul Mashburn captured bumble bees on a purple coneflower bloom earlier this month at the Heritage Center at the former the K-25 site in Oak Ridge. The wildflowers, part of a meadow restoration program to replace non-native vegetation, were photographed with a 300mm macro lens. More of Mashburn's photos can be viewed at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/paul-mashburn.html. (Paul Mashburn/Special to the News Sentinel)

Using his first digital camera -- an Olympus E20n -- noted photography educator Ron Plasencia captured this summer scene several years ago at Smoky Mountain Christian Camp in Coker Creek, Tenn. Plasencia is founder and president of the Photographic Society of East Tennessee, co-founder of the Camera Club Council of Tennessee, instructor at the Rose Center and Council for the Arts in Morristown, and an expert presenter at Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge. Go to http://1man1camera.com/ to see more of his work. (Ron Plasencia/Special to the News Sentinel)

David Hardin, the camera-toting realtor who contributes frequently to Reader's Eye, is back again with a photograph of a Big Orange elephant taken recently near Fall Creek Falls State Park. According to Hardin, the peripatetic pachyderm had its origins in the Tennessee Strawberry Festival parade in Dayton, Tenn., and moved on to Cookeville in the mid-to-late 1970s. The date of its arrival at its present location is unknown. (David Hardin/Special to the News Sentinel)

Will Guider used a Canon 40D and a 28-135mm lens to photograph a bobcat on the move recently in Cades Cove. "From what I've been told, bobcats are not that commonly spotted during the day in the park, so it was a cool opportunity. The fact that it ran right in front of the camera made it that much better, " said Guider in an email. He is a medical student at East Tennessee State University from Loudon who is home for summer break. (Will Guider/Special to the News Sentinel)

Monte Seymour, recently retired as a construction projects coordinator at the University Of Tennessee, photographed a swallowtail butterfly last month on a flame azalea at Andrews Bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "(I) lucked up on the butterfly on a beautiful bloom and could not pass on the shot," said Seymour. He used a Pentax K5 with a Tamron zoom lens at 200mm. (Monte Seymour/Special to the News Sentinel)

John Bodin-Henderson photographed a double rainbow with a Canon G5 recently from the deck of his Holston Hills home. "I looked out my window and could not believe the brightness of this double rainbow. (It) was a full half circle but I could not capture the entire range due to its closeness, " said Bodin-Henderson. He is an analyst with the University of Tennessee system budget office. (John Bodin-Henderson/Special to the News Sentinel)

K.O. Herston photographed powerboat racer Dana Tomes recently on Fort Loudoun Lake with a 400mm Nikkor lens. The Knoxville attorney set a shutter speed of 1/60 second and panned his Nikon D800 to capture the action. (K.O. Herston/Special to the News Sentinel)

Hobbyist photographer Joe Hacker from Oak Ridge photographed this saxophone player and entertainer on Market Square during the Dogwood Arts Festival's Chalk Walk in April. More of Joe's work can be found at: http://hackerii.myhackerlife.com or on 500px at http://500px.com/hackerii (JOE HACKER/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL)

Joe Hacker

This foggy Cades Cove scene by Chris Ewing was chosen as the National Geographic website's 'Photo of the Day' for April 23. "I'm still hyped about it," said Ewing. "It's every photographer's dream to be featured in National Geographic." He is a Townsend volunteer firefighter and owner of a photo studio in Wears Valley. see more of his work at www.facebook.com/DrivebyShotz. (Chris Ewing/Special to the News Sentinel)

Patti Googe photographed Courtney Wills during a performance of "Unsung Heroes-The Women of World War ll" by GO! Contemporary Dance Works, a nonprofit company of middle and high school-age performers associated with Studio Arts for Dancers in West Knoxville. "I consider it a rare privilege to photograph these dancers. I am constantly amazed by their dedication, discipline, beauty and skill at such a young age. My photos are an attempt to enable them see just how fantastic they are on stage," wrote Googe in an email. (Patti Googe/Special to the News Sentinel)

Local news photographer John Messner captured Alicia Farrar, left, and Kelsey Morris behind the waterfall at Volunteer Landing during a field trip for an University of Tennessee photography class taught by Tom Geisler. Using an off-camera flash, Messner photographed the scene with a Canon 5D Mark III and an 85mm lens. (John Messner/Special to the News Sentinel)

QuikPixOnline.com

Elena Ganusova, an University of Tennessee Department of Microbiology postdoctoral fellow, made this shot while hiking with her family in Frozen Head State Park last month. “This was the first decently warm weekend. I saw a lot of fern sprouts and when I got closer to the ground ... I was surprised seeing this heart like a sprouting heart,” she wrote in an email. She used a Nikon D90 and a zoom lens set at 75mm. (Elena Ganusova/Special to the News Sentinel)

Kelly Schehl photographed Fall Creek Falls recently during a workshop hosted by the University of Tennessee photography program, lead by Ron McConathy and Kendall Chiles. For this picture, Schehl took fifteen photos and merged them into a single image in Photoshop. She used a Canon 60D, 24-70mm f/2.8L lens. (Kelly Schehl/Special to the News Sentinel)

Longtime Reader's Eye contributor Eric Loftis photographed Blake Moore doing a trick called an invert at a skate park in Nashville. "Blake is one of the best skateboarders I've ever met... and I've been skateboarding for 13 years," said Loftis. "He rides with so much speed and control. It's amazing to see in person." (Eric Loftis/Special to the News Sentinel)

Paul Mashburn of Harriman made this photograph at the Mennonite community near Delano, Tenn. "The shot was made quickly through the back of a pickup window. We had passed them and I looked back and knew it was a shot of a lifetime...at least for me," said Mashburn in an email. He used Photoshop to clean up reflections in the window glass and some road dust. (Paul Mashburn/Special to the News Sentinel)

PAULMASH

Allen Neel used a D5100 Nikon to photograph sailboats at the Concord Yacht Club in December. Neel, president and CEO of the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, said he has always enjoyed photography and recently enrolled in a University of Tennessee photography class to further develop his skills. (Allen Neel/Special to the News Sentinel)

Sharon Monett photographed a great blue heron with a Nikon D7000 earlier this year at Volunteer Landing. "Since it was National Signing Day for high school football players, it seemed appropriate that this "Go Big Orange Heron" would be here, watching to see if Coach Butch Jones could pull in any "big fish" for the Volunteers," said Monett in an email. More of her work can be found on Facebook (Sharon Monett Photography) or at http://sm4him.500px.com/. (Sharon Monett /Special to the News Sentinel)

Oak Ridge resident Rick Rawl used a Nikon D40x to photograph “The Rock” in Morgan County. “(It’s) a marvelous pool and scene of tranquillity in White Creek surrounded by changing seasonal delights - blooming rhododendron, mountain laurel, magnolia and countless wildflowers,” said Rawl in an email. To have a photograph considered for Reader’s Eye, navigate to http://im.knoxnews.com/, create an account, and start uploading. (Rick Rawl/Special to the News Sentinel)

These bird condos caught the eye of realtor Billy Loope as he was driving last month in Maryville. "No one appeared to be home except the big woodpecker, but he didn't seem to notice me," Loope wrote in an email. (Billy Loope/Special to the News Sentinel)

Kathy Burke "liked the bold colors of the kale against the crispness of the white snow" in this photograph of decorative kale she made with a Nikon D90 and 70-108mm lens. "I was just having fun on a snowy day, taking pictures of pretty much everything. I think that for East Tennessee photographers, snow is enough of a novelty that we go a little crazy when we get some to feature in our photos. At least, I know that I do!," she wrote in an email. (Kathy Burke/Special to the News Sentinel)

Attorney Mary Helms shot this photo of a coyote crossing the Hamblen County Courthouse lawn with an iPhone on Feb. 14 in Morristown. "It seemed to be traveling with a purpose and did not stop to chat, but it seems to be smiling, so perhaps like everyone else - it was just out enjoying a little spring-like weather! I hope it made it safely to its destination," she said in an email. (Mary Helms/Special to the News Sentinel)

Andrea Hagood used a Nikon D5100 to photograph her daughters, Natalie, right, and Hallie, in the stroller, and family friend Lauren Rymer enjoying a street musician's performance in Market Square. " I don't know the jazz man's name but we were taking photos and he started putting on a show for us. He even gave the girls a microphone so they could pretend to sing with him," said Hagood in an email. (Andrea Hagood/Special to the News Sentinel)

Hayley Rogers/Special to the News Sentinel Hayley Rogers photographed the spoiler of her husband's Mazdaspeed3 during the ice storm on Jan. 25 in Oak Ridge. "I just took it with my iPhone, nothing fancy," said Rogers in an email.

Mike Powell opened the shutter of his Nikon D300S for 20 seconds to capture the Volunteer Princess passing under the Henley Bridge construction site on Nov. 15, 2012. It was taken during a night photography class offered through the University of Tennessee non-credit program. (Mike Powell/Special to the News Sentinel)

Will Guider, a medical student at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, photographed a white-tailed deer during Christmas break at his home in Loudon. It was taken with a Canon 40D and a 28-135mm lens. "The picture was really a lucky shot. I knew there were some deer in the brush as I was walking past, but had no idea one would jump right in front of me. When she did, I was able to get the shot. It's amazing that it turned out in focus," he said in an email. (Will Guider/Special to the News Sentinel)

Kelly Schehl photographed her four-year-old son Alex Schehl enjoying the snow earlier this month at their home in Karns. She used a Canon EOS 60D with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. Schehl is a photographer and entrepreneur for KRS.Creative, a new business offering creative services focusing on photography and graphic design services. Her website is http://www.krscreative.com. (Kelly Schehl/Special to the News Sentinel)

Paul Mashburn of Harriman used a Sony A55 camera to photograph an icy tunnel on Laurel Creek Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "The tunnel .... reminded me of how my dad was always driven to honk his horn when driving through this, and other, Smoky Mountain tunnels when I was a small boy," said Mashburn in an email. "I loved it and just have to do it myself today, even though I know how annoying it is to other drivers!" See more of his photography at http://paul-mashburn.artistwebsites.com/. (Paul Mashburn/Special to the News Sentinel)

William Britten merged three photographs to create this composite he calls "Winter Silence in the Smoky Mountains." The exposures were taken in the Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains Park. A retired University of Tennessee professor who is "now celebrating life in the Smoky Mountains," he operates the William Britten Gallery year-round in Gatlinburg's arts and crafts community. More of his work can be found at williambritten.com. (William Britten/Special to the News Sentinel)

William Britten

Mike Faulkner photographed a Gibbs High School majorette grabbing a fiery baton during a performance after a football game against Cumberland Gap High School. The show went on after the game due to rain at halftime. Faulkner, who has worked at Stowers Machinery for over 27 years, used a Canon EOS Rebel XT with a 75-300mm lens. (Mike Faulkner/Special to the News Sentinel)